• Saturday-What'sUP January 3 - 05:57 pm

At first glance, the top photo from John Sturos seems to be just a snapshot of several of the buildings on Quincy Street in Hancock, but after a closer look, you notice the reflection of a number more, along with a few homes, too. Then you spot Houghton across the way, between the church steeples and the Citizen's Bank building. Quite the clever photography!

Since John's picture only held a glimpse of Houghton, I thought it would only be fair to add a photo that gives a wider view and found just the right one in Sgt. Nate Tormala's Album. To give you a perspective on the location you're viewing, the two churches are St. Ignatius Catholic (the upper church) and Grace United Methodist (the lower church). You can tell winter definitely has its grip on the area, by the snowy roofs in both the photos today!

That first shot has some great composition!

John,

Nice photos, my friend.

You are getting quite creative, . . . and artsy-fartsy.

GB

It is a special day. Charlie... wish your mom a Happy Birthday for me ;0)

What is the church in the background I think I went there as a student at Suomi.

How long has Citizens Bank been in that ugly building? Who or what occupied the building before Citizens Bank? Who is responsible for putting up such an ugly building in what appears to be a very nice town?

The building with the reflective exterior is the former D&N building, which has appeared several times on the Pasty Cam. I always thought the windows looked like copper.

Our young neighbor just got engaged today. They stopped by to show us the ring and needless to say they are both happy. It was funny because her, now, fiance' had told Bill what he was going to do. So, when she called us, to tell us about the ring, she said to Bill, 'I think you already knew' and of course he said, 'Who me?' as he kinda snickered. It is a beautiful ring.

Her fiance' has to go back home to Atlanta Sunday. She will be joining him next year. I asked him if he got down on one knee and he said of course. Happy for them ;O)

I love that D & N building. I always thought it added some class to Hancock. Nice pictures.

I think if the D&N building had a different exterior, it would look better. Instead of that shiny, reflective stuff- have a brick type exterior- it would be a little better.

can anyone tell me some of the history of that catholic church? who built it? when? financing?

To Matt Karhu: I agree with you totally about the now Citizens Bank, used to be D&N. I live in W. Hancock and everytime I see it from Houghton and pass by it in Hancock, I feel it doesn't belong there. Class? No way! Most people I know who live in this area feel the same way. It was put up before we retired up here 16 years ago.

Buildings are time capsules. You need to remember what was going on when the building went up, as it is a reflection of that time. In the case of the D&N building, it was a very bleak time. The days off copper were over, and there was very little optimism for young people in the area. Where your dad might have worked for the mighty C&H, you could work in the woods, tourism, or other low paying wages. The bright spots were MTU, Copper Range if you could commute to White Pine, or, professional services. Against this, there was D&N. They could have put all of the efforts into the Detroit area, but they made a commitment to the area. The building was a statement of that commitment. The windows were a reflection of the Copper Country's heritage. While today we find the building unappealing, it was considered sleek and modern in its day. D&N used to give out playing cards featuring the building. It was the coprorate image, its symbol.

The building, without intending to, is a great monument to the time when the Copper Country let go of its hopes of copper glories, and turned to its future. Nearly 40 years later, we still don't know what that future is, but it was D&N that took the first big step in the new direction.

Back when it was the D&N building I told my kids the money in their savings accounts was stored in the silo next to the glass structure and the employees dove in and swam like Scrooge McDuck in the money.

Charlie,I hope your mom enjoyed her birthday and has many more to come!

Richard, I think the noble idea and venture that you attach to what was the D & N buiilding doesn't change what it is, a huge, ugly building that doesn't fit the apparent lovely scenery of Hancock and nearby towns. Years ago I recall reading some unfavorable articles in a Lower Michigan newspaper about an executive of D & N.; perhaps the building was his idea and was intended to be a monument to himself.

Well, Richard. I like the building and what it stood for. At that time, it was a beautiful building and, I think, added class to the area. Thank you for your input.

A lot of local trades people worked on that building. The project provided good jobs and money that was spent locally. It must be nice to be able to sit back and complain about a fine building-for the times. I feel the need to vent because my dad worked on it and all the guys were proud of the results. Remember it was over 40 years ago and styles change.

Actually, Roger, the building wasn't "for the times" suited for Hancock. Does anyone know if the townspeople had a say in this particular structure being built? From what I heard they did not...similar background, I think from what the people are saying, about the condo building next to the bridge that so many are unhappy about. Shame, too, about the old Portage Hospital's situation right now. My father laid brickwork for that one.
I can appreciate the jobs building the D&N gave to the locals, but building another structure more suited to the environ would have provided jobs, also.

All I've got to say is I really, really like the photo!

Jeff

While UP in "pasty land" this past June for the first time in many years that was the consensus we got regards the "bridge" condo from relatives, and many people we discussed it with including Helen Marie Chamberlain and her husband Don while we visited with them at their lovely home!

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I am having trouble posting.

I don't think that condo building next to the bridge is so ugly, but--------who would want to have a condo looking onto that part of the bridge everyday?